Fruitfull lessons, vpon the passion, buriall, resurrection, ascension, and of the sending of the holy Ghost Gathered out of the foure Euangelists: with a plaine exposition of the same. By Miles Couerdall.

THen said Iesus vnto them: O ye fooles and slow of hart to beleeue all that the Prophets haue spoken. Ought not Christ to haue suffred these things, and so to enter into his glorie? And hee began at Moses and all the Pro∣phets, and interpreted vnto them in all Scriptures which were written of him. And they drewe nigh to the towne that they went vnto: and he made as though he would haue gone further. And they constrained him, saying: Abide with vs, for it draweth toward night, and the day is far pas∣sed, and he went in to tarrie with them. And it came to passe as he sate at meate with them, he tooke bread and blessed it, and brake and gaue to them, and their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. And they said betweene themselues. did not our heartes burne within vs, while he talked with vs by the way, and opened to vs the scriptures? And they rose vp the same houre, and returned againe to Hierusalem, and found the eleuen gathered toge∣ther, and them that were with them, saying: The Lorde is risen indeed, and hath appeared vnto Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how they knewe him in breaking of bread.

Doctrine and fruite.

CHRIST sayth, Iohn. 5. Search the Scriptures, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they testifie of mee. Also, If yee beleeued Moses, ye should beleeue me, for he hath writ∣ten of me. Christ therefore willing to strengthen the weake, and to teach the vnlearned, expoundeth vnto them the Scriptures, beginning at Moses, and so tho∣rough out all the Prophets. For whatsoeuer is writ∣ten in the Scripture concerning the mercie, goodnes and wisedome of God, the washing awaie of sinne, and satisfieng for the same, it belongeth properly to Christ. For so worthily and euidently haue they de∣scribed the passion & glory of Christ, that one would thinke them not to write of a matter which were to come, but done alreadie, as it is plaine in the Psalmes and Prophets. Psa▪ 22. Esa. 53. 1. Pet. 1. &c.

Thus out of the Scripture we learne, partlie the testimonies of the passion and resurrection of Christ, partly by what waie Christ came to so high honour; and glorie of his father, that wee first beleeuing that Chri••t dyed for our sinnes, and rose againe for our righteousnesse, might by his resurrection be sure of a good conscience, and consolation of the lyfe to come.

Secondly, that wee in patience and obedience might learne to be obedient to our heauenly father, to take vp our crosse, and to follow our Lord IESVS Christ, if wee will haue ioy with him, wee must also suffer and trauaile with him. Our head goeth to eter∣nall

ioy through aduersitie and trouble, and will we enter into it through the pleasure of the worlde and lust of the flesh? It passeth the boundes of all ••nitie, and comlynesse and honestie, for 〈…〉〈…〉 to bee sluggish and slouthfull, when the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••keth vppon him such trauell and paine, 〈…〉〈…〉 narrowe gate that wee must enter in at, for tho∣rough many tribulations, vexations, and miseryes must wee come into the euerlasting kingdome of heauen: and all they that will liue godly in Christ Iesu, must suffer persecution in this world. He that will possesse an inheritance, must beare and suffer all the charges belonging to the same. The eternall in∣heritance is appointed vs of our heauenly father tho∣rough Christ: but with this addition, that we receiue the possession of it in such sort as the son hath done, namely with and through the crosse and trouble. Blessed are they whome God the father maketh par∣takers of the passion of his onely begotten sonne: for who so is a companion with him in suffering, shall haue his eternal fellowship in heauen, and inioy with him euerlasting blisse and rest. Hee that vnderstan∣deth not this, is a foole and slowe of heart to beleeue the Scriptures: let that man beseech God to open the Scripture vnto him, and to make him vnderstand it. Where that commeth to passe, ignoraunce vani∣sheth awaie, and the heart is feruent and receiueth vnderstanding, for the Lorde is the right and perfect schoole-master, that toucheth the hart, and pearceth it through with the arrowes of his words and ardent loue.

In breaking of the bread, they knowe the Lorde, 〈…〉〈…〉 life time, when he nowe woulde goe 〈…〉〈…〉 and death, tooke bread, rendered 〈…〉〈…〉 it, and gaue it them, admonishing 〈…〉〈…〉 ••bit as they dyd the same, they shoulde 〈…〉〈…〉 remembrance of him. Whereby they now ••hin••••ng on the same wordes, and beeing admoni∣shed of the act, remember that it is hee. Thus the breaking of the bread before our eyes in the supper, is an admonishing token, that Christs body was bro∣ken and dyed for vs on the crosse: and the drinke an admonishing token, that his bloud was shedde for the washing awaie of our sinnes. And so when wee breake the bread, and drinke the drinke, wee ought thereby to knowe the Lorde, thanking him for his death which is our life, being mindfull of him, and following his great loue, wherein hee dyed for our sinnes.

Notes

• Luke. 24.